Sustainability at Workplace: Cradle to Cradle vs. Cradle to Grave

This essay provides a comparative analysis of the 'Cradle to Cradle' and 'Cradle to Grave' concepts, highlighting their contrasting approaches to product lifecycle and sustainability. 'Cradle to Cradle' focuses on designing products and systems for continuous value generation and environmental sustainability through reuse and recycling, while 'Cradle to Grave' tracks products from raw material extraction to disposal without emphasizing environmental considerations. The essay argues for the adoption of 'Cradle to Cradle' principles in the workplace to promote environmental equilibrium and sustainable practices, contrasting it with the prevailing 'Cradle to Grave' approach that prioritizes short-term productivity over long-term sustainability. Ultimately, the essay advocates for integrating 'Cradle to Cradle' to ensure the development of sustainable equipment and maintain environmental balance.

Running head: COMPARISON
Comparison
Name of the Student-
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Introduction
This paper will strive to discuss about the issues related to ‘cradle to cradle’ and ‘cradle
to grave’ and will discuss these concepts in vivid terms. This paper will also endeavor to relate
these concepts to the workplace. In addition, the essay will endeavor to argue that the adoption of
the former approach is crucial for the sustenance at the workplace.
Discussion
Braungart as well as McDonough have discovered ‘cradle to cradle’ (Toxopeus et al.).
‘Cradle to cradle’ points towards the process in which the products as well as the systems have
been designed for the generation of equal, better and appropriate value after the lifespan as well
as usefulness of the products and systems. As projected by the term, ‘cradle to cradle’, also
inculcates the notion of the development of new and sustainable products from the existing ones.
This concept chiefly stresses upon the issue of sustainability of the products and systems. ‘Cradle
to cradle’ also helps in sustaining the various nuances of the environment (De Pauw et al.). By
the employment of reusable products, the concept of ‘cradle to cradle’ emphasizes and stresses
upon the maintenance of cleanliness. Therefore, the advanced notion of ‘cradle to cradle’ is
dependent on the useful process related to the recycling of available products for the future
sustainability.
On the contrary, ‘cradle to grave’, focusses on the lifetime productivity of the products
(Dyllick and Rost). Starting from the inception of the products with the raw materials, this notion
includes the idea of tracking the products from the beginning to the end. In addition to this, the
‘cradle to grave’ fails to encompass the importance of retaining the sustainability related to
environment. ‘Cradle to Grave’ also solely stresses upon the efficiency rendered by the products

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from its culmination to the time it depreciates in totality. Therefore, this approach does not
encompass the myriad issues connected to the factors of the environment.
The above-mentioned concepts can be connected to the workplace. In most of the
workplaces and our workplace, the adoption of ‘cradle to cradle’ can ensure the better
sustainability related to environment and products. A closer look at our workplace will reveal
that our workplace chiefly inculcates the conception of ‘cradle to grave’. Due to this, much
emphasis is laid upon the productivity of the current products without any concentration on the
arena of reusability. To retain environmental equilibrium, it is crucial to adopt ‘cradle to cradle’
certification (Llorach-Massana et al.). In the places of work, it is essential to incorporate the
approach of ‘cradle to cradle’ and shun the approach of ‘cradle to grave’. This can assist in the
development of the equipment to retain the factor of sustainability and sustenance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it ought to be expressed that when ‘cradle to cradle’ emphasizes upon
sustainability and reusability, the opposing idea ‘cradle to grave’ fails to do so. In conclusion, it
needs to be stated that the approach of ‘Cradle to cradle’ can prove to be quite effective at the
workplace.

3COMPARISON
Reference
De Pauw, Ingrid C., et al. "Comparing Biomimicry and Cradle to Cradle with Ecodesign: a case
study of student design projects." Journal of cleaner production 78 (2014): 174-183.
Dyllick, Thomas, and Zoe Rost. "Towards true product sustainability." Journal of Cleaner
Production 162 (2017): 346-360.
Llorach-Massana, Pere, Ramon Farreny, and Jordi Oliver-Sola. "Are Cradle to Cradle certified
products environmentally preferable? Analysis from an LCA approach." Journal of cleaner
production 93 (2015): 243-250.
Toxopeus, Marten E., B. L. A. De Koeijer, and A. G. G. H. Meij. "Cradle to cradle: effective
vision vs. Efficient practice?." Procedia CIRP 29 (2015): 384-389.